4 minute read
TRENDY BUSINESS
from The Ridge 117
Cairey Baxter-Bruce’s job as business director for H&G Expos involves developing new ventures and overall growth for the company, which manages many events countrywide each year, as well as heading up the East Coast Radio House & Garden Show and Beauty Revolution, a festival celebrating inclusivity and Africa’s diversity within the beauty industry. “I love the fact that I am able to get involved in all aspects of the business and get to re-invent, innovate and grow exhibitions year on year,” she says.
Cairey (below) and her team keep tabs on trends to ensure the shows they plan wow visitors and keep them coming back for fresh ideas and inspiration. “For the East Coast Radio House & Garden Show, we consider core elements of modern life – personal, social, environmental, economic and also those unique to the region – as guiding principles to shape what we include in the show,” she says, adding that the influence of a growing preference for experiences over things has prompted the team to plan customised features which include interactive demonstrations, shopping and food experiences, and local design installations.
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“Self-expression on digital platforms is leading the way and breaking the moulds of traditional trends which have always been set by large corporates and retail brands. This is creating a refreshing uniqueness in interior and lifestyle perspectives at the moment,” Cairey says. “It’s important to remember that while being ‘on-trend’ can bring a lot of gratification, individual style is at the heart of making a home for years to come. Personal style, online influence and best practices like sustainability will soon be widely followed over trends,” she explains.
This is a philosophy Cairey lives by, and the home she shares with her husband, son and AS THE BUSINESS DIRECTOR FOR H&G EXPO, ONE OF SOUTH AFRICA’S LARGEST EXHIBITION COMPANIES, GLENASHLEY’S CAIREY BAXTER-BRUCE IS PLUGGED INTO THE LATEST HOUSE AND GARDEN TRENDS, WRITES CANDICE BOTHA daughter strikes a balance between style and practicality. “Being a parent does not mean you have to give up on decor, and wanting a beautiful home does not mean you can’t have children! Parenting doesn’t leave too much time for styling, though, so I’ve tried to combine key classic pieces with accessories adding style. This means I can easily change the look without a complete redesign or spending too much.”
For this year, Cairey says the influence of nature is everywhere. “Lifestyle trends are still very much about aligning the home with nature,
KEY TRENDS FOR 2020
ACCORDING TO SOME DURBAN DESIGNERS, HERE ARE DECOR TRENDS TO LOOK OUT FOR.
Mix and match patterns and textures to create an eclectic, layered space. Think patterned fabrics and wallpapers in bold colours and touch-me textures like velvet, leather and silk. – Sam Oakley of Sam O Interiors
Natural textures are still making a big statement. A sisal, jute or seagrass rug is a simple, effective way to bring this trend into any space. Available in round, square, patterned or plain, they are versatile and work in classic or contemporary schemes. – Kita Veale of Homestead Decor
■ I’m excited about the new Pantone Colour of the Year for 2020, Classic Blue. Instilling calm, confidence and connection, this enduring blue hue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build. Textile art is also a growing trend – it’s a soft and cosy element that makes an interior feel welcoming. Macrame wall hangings and heavily detailed, stitched and embroidered scatters really can elevate your interiors and add wonderful texture. – Amy Mitchell of Studio Mitchell
not in the Afrofutura and Botanical styles we’ve seen in recent years, but rather through the use of recycled decor and eco-friendly materials. Natural pigments, neutrals and greys are also trending which add sophistication when paired with Classic Blue, Pantone’s Colour of the Year. It’s a look that reflects the colours of the sandy shore, the sea and the harbour – all ideal for Durban.”
Blurring the boundaries between inside and out is also a key trend, and Cairey notes that plants which can be used in cooking and as garnishes for drinks are popular. “Local gardening is also moving
towards being eco-friendly – reducing your carbon footprint through composting, repurposing old fittings, upkeep of indigenous pollinators and pest controllers, and dual-purpose planting are just a few of the on-trend options.”
*FOR MORE INFO EAST COAST RADIO HOUSE & GARDEN SHOW: housegardenshow.co.za STUDIO MITCHELL: studiomitchell.co.za SAM O INTERIORS: instagram.com/samointeriors KIRSTY BADENHORST INTERIORS: kbinteriors.co.za RENE FORBAY DESIGNS: reneforbay@gmail.com HOMESTEAD DECOR: homestead-decor.co.za
